5 Steps to Deal with Frustration

Suffering from frequent frustration may signal something profoundly wrong with one’s personal habits, schedule, or lifestyle. We all get frustrated from time to time. But we can take steps to limit frustration’s symptoms and get to the root of the problem.

Think of stress as the occasional stubbed toe or bruised elbow. It happens sometimes. That’s life.

Now, think of frustration as an infection. Bruises and scratches happen, but it’s not normal for them to become infected.

Living with occasional stress is unavoidable — but short and passing. Here are five steps we can take to keep our stress from infecting into frustration and hurting longer than it should.

1. Breathe.

Perhaps, this sounds pedantic. But when you’re perpetually frustrated about events, people, or tasks into your life, just stop. Breathe. Take a minute to calm down and then proceed with dealing with the causes of that frustration.

A common cause of frustration is anger. Slow, methodic breathing can allow your brain to get more oxygen and calm down. Breathing exercises are a good way to make this a habit. Mental Health America recommends the 4–7–8 breathing. Breathe in for four seconds, hold your breath for seven, then breathe out for eight.